You’re ready to hit the open road on your motorcycle. But before you take off, consider the following motorcycle road trip planner to help make your trip better and safer.
Your Motorcycle Road Trip Checklist
Preparations for a road trip shouldn’t start the night before you leave. Give yourself at least a week to prepare your bike, allowing time for any necessary repairs.
Look for worn or broken parts such as brakes and tires. Check fluid levels, gauges, signals and lights to make sure they’re working. Consider having a motorcycle expert inspect the bike.
Some people live for adventure and enjoy taking off with no thought as to where they’re going. But if you take a little time while motorcycle road trip planning to check construction areas and weather patterns, you can ensure most of your trip is spent cruising instead of stuck under an overpass.
When considering destinations, make sure you pace the ride. Don’t rush the trip. Instead, give yourself enough time to take breaks. It’s a good idea to share your plans with family or friends back home. Consider keeping in touch to avoid unnecessary worrying. Leave a copy of your motorcycle road trip planner with loved ones at home.
The night before you leave, make sure you get plenty of sleep. It’s dangerous to operate a motorcycle when tired. Wear the right gear, which should include a good-quality helmet with a shield.
Most motorcycle road trip planners also include these items among their essential motorcycle safety gear:
- gloves;
- armored/leather jacket;
- thick pants; and
- boots.
Your clothing should be appropriate for weather conditions. But it also should be visible to others. For each weather situation, there should be at least one item of reflective clothing included on your motorcycle road trip checklist.
Part of planning well for a motorcycle road trip is leaving things out rather than packing them all in. Buying what you need on the road is the easiest, most stress-free way to take a road trip on a bike. Use saddlebags or bungee cords to hold/secure your belongings. Don’t forget to check the bike’s cargo weight limits. If necessary, adjust suspension and tire pressure.
One essential item that should be on your motorcycle road trip checklist is a first-aid kit. Some of the items to include are bandages, gauze pads, antibiotic cream, cold packs, soap and saline solution.
It’s also important to have a tire repair/tool kit on hand. This allows you to make minor repairs or adjustments.
What to Do in Case of Emergency While on a Motorcycle Trip
In the blink of an eye, an enjoyable trip can turn into an emergency. Although a bike breaking down can cause stress and frustration, one major thing that can go wrong is an accident. This is why it’s important to have a charged cellphone with you.
Whether it’s a single motorcycle crash or a collision with another vehicle, call 911 if there are injuries. If you were riding with a friend (as a passenger or someone riding his or her own bike), use caution before moving an injured victim. With the risk of a neck fracture, it’s best to stay put until help arrives, unless it would put the person in danger.
Some injuries can receive attention at the scene before an ambulance arrives if you had enough foresight in your motorcycle road trip planning to pack:
- antibiotic wipes to wash the wound right away to prevent infection;
- antibiotic medication; and
- dressings to cover the wound.
Of course, severe road rash necessitates treatment in an emergency room. Put direct pressure on the wound to stop bleeding. Try to use a clean shirt or rag to avoid contamination.
Contacting an Attorney When Injured in a Motorcycle Crash
Whether it’s a road trip or a jaunt around the neighborhood, if someone else’s negligence causes an accident, you should know about your legal rights. An attorney at Gacovino, Lake & Associates can identify the signs that someone else was at fault and whether you can file a claim. Legal counsel can explain the types of damages that can be sought in a motorcycle accident claim once you fill out our contact form with the basics of your case.
